What International Students Should Know About the FAFSA?

Do you know what is fafsa for international students? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. This article will help you understand about FAFSA in detail.

Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. A number of of states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid and how much they will get. 

FAFSA Form for International Students

Typically, financial aid through the Federal Student Aid program is reserved for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens only. Despite not being eligible for federal aid, international students can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for consideration for school scholarships and state-provided financial aid.

Along with the FAFSA, international students may need to fill out additional forms to qualify for institutional aid. Some colleges will have you fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) to determine your aid eligibility, and you can find that app on individual schools' websites. 

Others may require the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, and here you can find the specific application designed for international students. The CSS profile will ask for information about your family's income, assets, and expenses. You can input this information in your country's currency and the College Board will convert the currency for you.

Eligibility for FAFSA

U.S. citizens, nationals, legal permanent residents and individuals who have an Arrival-Departure Record from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services showing certain designations, including refugees, are eligible to apply for federal student aid. Students need to be enrolled in a Title IV-eligible program, meaning one that can receive federal financial aid funds, to qualify.

The FAFSA asks for information about income, assets and demographic factors, such as household size and number of children enrolled in college at the same time. This information is used to calculate the expected family contribution, which determines eligibility for federal student aid. For instance, if the EFC is zero, then the student will most likely qualify for the maximum Pell Grant – a federal award based on financial need.

Who should Fill Out the FAFSA?

Anyone planning on going to college in the next academic year should fill out the FAFSA. Some of the reasons are given below:

• Each year, millions or sometimes billions of dollars in federal aid is left on the table by students who didn’t file a FAFSA. It’s simple: If you don’t file, you won’t qualify for most financial aid.
• Your family doesn’t have to have a low income to qualify for assistance. Even if your family makes $200,000 a year, you could be eligible for aid.
• You automatically qualify for a low-interest federal loan when you submit a FAFSA. These loans are less expensive to pay back than many private student loans.
• Many work-study programs require the FAFSA.
• Some merit-based scholarships require the FAFSA to help them determine scholarship amounts.

What Kinds of Aid Can Students Qualify for?

By submitting FAFSA forms, students apply for federal loans, grants, and work-study funds. The amount of financial aid they receive varies significantly based on individual circumstances. Let us know the types of aid available under FAFSA for international students:

• Grants: Federal grants are financial awards that recipients do not need to repay, provided they adhere to the grant's conditions. Individuals within specific demographic groups, such as women and minorities, can often receive grants specific to them. Individual states and institutions also offer grants.
• Loans: Loans offered through FAFSA fall into several categories. Students can receive loans based on factors like cost of attendance or financial need. Recipients must repay loans after graduation, and each type of loan carries different repayment requirements.
• Work-Study: Work-study programs offer students money in exchange for working on campus. Only some jobs qualify as work-study positions, and most institutions limit the number of hours a student can work each week.

How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form?

Filling out the FAFSA form is an important aspect of understanding FAFSA for international students. There are three ways to complete and submit your FAFSA:

• Online at ed.gov.
• With the myStudentAid app, available on iTunes and Google Play.
• By printing and filling out a FAFSA form, then mailing it to the address on the form.

Applicants are recommended to fill out the FAFSA online or through the app. Both options offer useful tips to help you understand the questions, which can make it a lot easier to fill out and submit the application. When you fill out the FAFSA electronically, you’ll be asked to create a federal student aid ID (FSA ID). You’ll use it to sign the electronic form. Because one of your parents also has to sign off on your FAFSA, they’ll need to create an FSA ID, too.

When to Submit Your FAFSA: Understanding FAFSA Deadlines

You can file as early as October 1 for the following academic year. It’s a good idea to submit the application as soon as possible because financial aid is often given out on a first-come, first-served basis. There are three types of FAFSA deadlines:

• College deadlines: Important when you’re applying for aid from a college. Deadlines vary by school, so check college websites or contact the financial aid offices of the colleges you’re interested in to find out when you need to submit your FAFSA.
• State deadlines: Important when you’re applying for aid from your state.  Check your state's FAFSA deadline.
• Federal deadline: June 30 is the last day you can apply for federal aid for the following academic year.

Note: You should send in your FAFSA as soon as you can, regardless of deadlines. There’s a lot of financial aid out there—give yourself the best shot at getting the most assistance by applying early.

FAFSA Facts

Submitting the FAFSA is the most important thing you can do if you want financial aid. Here are some of the facts related to FAFSA for international students:

• The FAFSA is free, so you don’t need to pay anyone to prepare it for you.
• You need to submit a new FAFSA before each academic year in which you want to get aid. If you plan to apply for aid throughout college, you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA each year.
• Be sure to use a permanent email address on the form, not your high school email, so you can use your FAFSA account throughout college.
• Completing the FAFSA is one of six steps you need to take to qualify for a $40,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship.
• You qualify for a $1,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship just by submitting your FAFSA.